Swiss Franc catalog help

coinkat

What is Krause for an 1894 UNC Swiss Franc?

My cat is over ten year old and the value listed is 300

Thanks

ajaan

$75. in Unc. for 1894A (2006 Krause)

MyWorldCoinTypeSet

5th Edition Krause (2006) ...
Switzerland Franc, KM#24
1894A: XF=60, Unc=140, BU=275

MyWorldCoinTypeSet

<< <i>$75. in Unc. for 1894A (2006 Krause) >>



Interesting. Are there two versions of the 1801-1900 Krause 2006 catalog?

ajaan

No, I looked under France

You are correct.

MyWorldCoinTypeSet

So, this coin has lost over half its' catalog value in 10 years? Is this normal?

coinkat

I am alittle shocked too - I guess I need to pay attention

Thanks for the help

lordmarcovan

I thought I was gonna be able to help with a more recent catalog price, but as it happens, the 19th century volume is the one I didn't upgrade, though I recently updated the other three centuries. I'm still on 4th Edition (2004) with the 19th C.

MacCrimmon

The October 2005 ed. of Numispost lists it at 350 CHF IN UNC., AND 750 CHF in Stempelglanz (64+).

The hardcover HMZ book (printed in late 2006) lists it at at the same prices.

SYRACUSIAN

<< <i>So, this coin has lost over half its' catalog value in 10 years? Is this normal? >>





Legit question. No, but Krause had notoriously screwed up (and keeps on doing so) the prices of Swiss Confederation coins, usually grossly underpricing the early rare silver and copper in MS, and overpricing the post WW2 specimens, even though he published values on silver specimens only. In an effort to correct some mistakes, he reduced the prices of specimens, especially the readily available ones , but his prices on early silver should still not be taken seriously.

If you want the price of an MS 64-65, take CHF750 (=$750) that Mac mentioned as a start and add more (even +50-80%), if it's an exceptional coin. My cat has it at CHF700 but it's a year and a half old.An asking price of $900-$1000 wouldn't be out of order for a nice MS65 or MS66. These are truly rare in choice-gem, unlike your usual 1920, or 1940s-1950s readily available francs.I'm guessing that this particular date must command a premium, just because it's the only Paris minted date (A mm) of that design.

Also, eye appeal has a tremendous effect on the prices of these early francs. Last year I've sold the most beautiful Swiss franc I've ever owned, regardless of dates, a 1900B PCGS MS66 for $800 off ebay, to a friend, and I barely broke even. Look it up in Krause and you'll be shocked by my selling price. A similar but rather ugly coin of the same date and grade, realized less than half that amount in a recent Heritage auction.



Last year, UBS held a memorable sale of a great collection of Swiss Confederate coins, (Albert Beck) ,they even printed a separate catalogue which could well serve as an illustrated price catalogue as it contains exceptional examples of practically all the dates and denominations from 1850 to 1970. Prices went through the roof at the worst point of this Recession, and I was lucky enough to grab one small piece, a little 1936 half franc specimen, whose rarity is undermined, especially due to the fact that it was colorful. As much colour you can find on Swiss business strikes, it is a well known fact that EAs or specimens come strictly in white and more or less cameo. It graded SP67 and could have gone SP68, but who cares? I paid its realized price at that auction, that is 3 or 4 times its Swiss catalogue value and I don't regret it one bit.




Sorry for the rant, I hope that the two images partly made up for it, but I always wanted a chance to express my deep regret for the terrible Krause pricing which often leads to misunderstandings during the sale of a coin to a friend,and of course forbids the possibility of no reserve auctions of any pre-1930 gem on ebay. All of my coins had a Swiss provenance and were paid accordingly, but I was lucky enough to find a connaisseur who bought my entire collection at the right prices leaving me with my Swiss box of 20, in which I wish I had kept the 1900 franc.

SYRACUSIAN

Following my own advice I've looked it up in the Albert Beck UBS sale. Lot 40, 1894A 1 franc, 5.01gr ,Divo 137, HMZ 2-1204g.
FDC, Brilliant uncirculated est 450, realized CHF 750, plus buyer's premium, around $900.

My little 1936 specimen, lot 128 realized the same,CHF 750 but the agent gave me a preferrential buyer's rate. FDC Specimen. Cabinet piece in perfect prooflike uncirculated with magnificent patina, Divo 436, HMZ 2-1206ee est. 250 (imagine how long the bidding war lasted on that).


So, Mac's cat price is spot on. Coin (the 1894A franc) doesn't make your heart beat, but it's toned and probably better looking in hand. It's just that the 1896 2 frs in the next page eclipses it with its 2:1 image and CHF 44000 realized,or CHF 52420 with buyer's premium included.

coinkat

Thanks guys